Governor unveils economic plan in Fort Morgan

Nick Erker, right, shows a group including Gov. John Hickenlooper, center, and Tim Burleigh of the Colorado Department of Agriculture around Erker Grain Co. (John La Porte/Times)

Gov. John Hickenlooper chose Fort Morgan as one of three locations to unveil the new Colorado Blueprint, the state`s "bottom up" economic development plan last Wednesday.The governor spoke at Erker Grain Co., a business that has used economic development programs and become a worldwide dealer in millet and confection sunflower seeds.The firm buys crops from farmers in several states, processes them and sends its products to numerous countries.In addition to Erker, Hickenlooper made appearances at TAXI in Denver and Ice Energy in Windsor.The governor said a reporter questioned him about choosing a location in rural Colorado as one of the places for the announcement, asking him if people there would get it when it came to technology.He said he told the reporter, "Show me somebody that`s more innovative than a dryland farmer." He referred to ag producers using such technological tools as GPS (global positioning system) for planting.Kari Linker, executive director of the Morgan County Economic Development Corp., said the governor was showcasing one of Morgan County`s great companies."It`s going to be a living, breathing creature," Hickenlooper said of the economic development plan."This procedure is unique in the United States," he added; rather than state-level officials putting together a plan, input was taken from all of the state`s 64 counties.About 5,000 people attended the meetings, and about 8,000 more gave input via the Internet, he stated.

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"There`s a sense of ownership," Hickenlooper declared. "We`ve got your voice, and we`ve got your penmanship in here."State officials hope to get input on the plan over the next three weeks.The plan has real benchmarks, measurable goals and concrete solutions to help every community to create jobs and businesses to thrive, Hickenlooper said.If Colorado does the things in the plan well, the governor said, it will have a jump on every"We`re all deputized and have ownership responsibility," said Dwayne Romero, executive director of the office of economic development and international trade."This plan will help local business to compete at their best, innovate as the markets demand and build confidence to grow jobs in Colorado," Romero said.Mike Erker of Erker Grain presented Hickenlooper with a T-shirt with the company logo on the front and "I love Fort Morgan" on the back.One audience member pressed the governor to take a stand on the Northern Integrated Supply Project, pointing out that a lot of Colorado water was going into Nebraska.Hickenlooper said he was not taking a stand one way or the other on the proposed reservoir along the Poudre River near Fort Collins.He added that he was going to let the process (of project approval) come up with recommendations, then see how to get people together on the project.The bottom up plan has six basic components:Create a business-friendly environment. Hickenlooper said that a major point made in the county-level meetings was that the government needed to know when and how to regulate and when to get out of the way. He added that he wants government to be smaller and more efficient.Recruit, grow and retain business. The plan calls for more targeted marketing of the state and increased coordination within the economic development community.Increase access to capital. Every county and every region expressed the need for this, in such forms as debt financing, equity investment and access to grants. The state is expanding current venture and angel capital programs and desinging a new cash collateral program to help businesses trying to obtain operating loans.Create and market a stronger Colorado brand. A common brand and vision for all of the state will provide a strong foundation for increasing market share in overnight visitors, relocating companies and direct investment.Educate and train the work force of the future. A highly educated population and institutions of higher education are key economic drivers and selling points to potential business.Cultivate innovation and technology. Colorado has many adventurous people making discoveries and working to get new ideas. Most regions need improved communications technologies, including broadband.The plan is available online at colo.gov/coloradoblueprint.

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